The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-03-12
A MEXICAN LEGEND.

With swell-filled bags after q fine days
sport, we turned our faces toward the
rough nd-ready little hosiery where we
were staying for n few days, up In Dakota.
They could cook prairie chicken there,
and there was good cider 10 be had. not TO
mention the good beer. We decided 10 go
back by new route, aud to follow, as far
as possible, the winding OF the stream.
After very short time, howoyer, the
stream took turn and disappeared into
the wood. IL would have taken US too far
out OF our way TO follow IL. so we struck
out upon a path which we afterward found
was the chord OF an arc formed 10y the
stream. All OF n sudden, and in no great
time, we came upon the water again. The
sun wns still powerful, and very pretty
spectacle was now before u.s. as the stream
wound. widening amid PUSHES and flags,
out OF forest aud round the side of a
peninsula. The dragon fies swarmed. and
tho sunshine came beautifully through tho
ehade OF the over bending trees. On a
punt that had just shot the corner of the
peninsula n smart, buxom girl, probably
the hotel-keeper's daughter thought, lay
lolling ut full length, half on her side, but
with her head supported by her arms, and
her face turned toward my companion and
myself. She had heard the rustic we had
nlhbt III tiit bIUhtt hnu WIS lOOAllk tuli-
eusly in our direction. Hal was the first
90 catch sight of this sudden apparition,
and ho paid so much attention TO il that he
took false step, and actually put at least
enc leg down into the water among the
PUSHES. The girl called out, laughingly;
ne caught hold of my hand, and no harm
was done.
When we got TO our little hotel the first
thing we did, after toilet, was 10 make
ment tea. sending some of the contents OF
our bag into the kitchen for supper. As
we sat smoking in the twilight HUI said,
laughingy:
Thought is quick"
al dare sny," said l.
"What do You think Of Ximena2"
"Who the dickens is Nimeniai"
"The girl on The punt"
II thought she was n brisk, plump Nor
vegian girl; little lazy; untidy in some
respects perhaps, but inclined 10 be dressy,
and"
"Not Norwegian, old fellow; Mexican.
Her name is Nimenia."
"That last drink out OF the flask must
have gone TO your bead Hal"
"Not bit. Listen to the story
OF Ximenia, tho Mexic maiden.
think / can repeat il all.
There was, you must know, three
hundred years ago a young Mexic chief
named-well / can't remember those out
iandish Mexican Aztec names, so / will
call him Popo. WE'LL this Popo built an
elevated balcony on the slope of n hill,
we'll, We'll call Il Xxi. He had contracted
great friendship for young man whom
We will call Zozo; they were both fond Of
music. Popo played on n horn, and Zozo on
the pipe; aud they used TO 90 up into the
balcony and play on their instruments i'm
the night; and in calm evenings the sound
tf their music was waited 10y the gentle
llreeze across the lake TO the yillage of
Ohio, where dwelt the beautiful young
Nimenia, the sister OF Waha.
Ximenia could hear the sweet-sounding
inusic OF the instrument of popo and OF
bis dear friend, Zozo, which gladdcned her
he0rt within her. Every night the two
friends played on their instruments in this
manner, and Nimenia then ever said 10
herself, "Ahi thnt is the music of Popo /
hear"
For although Ximenia was so priced by
her family that they would not betroth her
60 any chief, nevertheless, she and Popo
had met each other on those occasions
when all the people came together.
In those great assemblies Of the people,
Ximenia had seen Pope, and as they often
glanced ut each other, 10 the heart OF each
OF them the other appeared pleasing. and
worthy of love, so thnt In the breast Of
each there grew up secret passion for the
other. Nevertheless, Popo could not tell
whether he might venture Go approach
Ximcnia 10 take her hand. TO see would she
press his IN return, because, said he. "Per-
hnps may be by no means agreeable to
her. on the other hand. Nimenia's heart
haid TO her, III you send one OF your
female friends TO tell him OF Your love.
parchnnce he will not be pleased with you. !"
However, after they had thus met for
many, many days, and had long fondly
glanced each M the other, Popo sent a
messenger TO Nimenia, 20 tell her OF his
love, and when Ximenia had seen the
messenger, she said. "Ahl then hhvo we
each loved alike2"
Sometime after this, and when they had
often met, Popo and his family returned
90 their own village; and being together
one evening. in the large warm house Of
general assembly, the elder brothers Of
Popo said: (which OF ms has by signs or by
pressure of the hand received proofs OF
the love OF Ximeniaf" And one said, "it IL
who have" and another said, mo, but IL
Ia l." Then they all questioned Popo. and
ne said, II have pressed the had OF
Ximenia, and she pressed mine In RETURN"
but his elder brothers said, ~No such thing;
do You think she would take any
notice Of such low-born fellow ms
you nrog" He then told his reputed
father TO remember what he would then
say 10 him, because he really had received
proofs of Aimenas love; they hal even net
ually arranged good while before, the